Sharif rejects moves to delay Pakistan elections

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The standoff between President Musharraf and Pakistani opposition leaders in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s murder intensified today, as government-backed moves to postpone parliamentary elections were fiercely rejected.

As the country’s Electoral Commission announced that a recommendation “has been sent to the government for a delay” in the January 8 polls, Nawaz Sharif, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, dismissed the decision outright and demanded Mr Musharraf resign in favour of a unity government.

In a press conference held at the eastern city of Lahore, Mr Sharif, who was ousted in a military coup by Mr